Fulham Women 4-0 Sutton United

Fulham continued their 100% start to the season with an emphatic 4-0 win over Sutton at Motspur Park.

Ella Tagliavini’s excellent strike, Sophie Manzi’s header and Megalie Mendes’ neat finish gave the Whites a three-goal advantage at the break, while Tia Foreman added to the score after half-time.

Fulham threatened early with Ellie Olds’ dangerous cross deflected behind, and when the resulting corner was swung in, Manzi’s first-time effort had to be cleared off the line by a yellow shirt.

The fast start was rewarded when Tagliavini found space to shoot from 30 yards out, and her piledriver nestled in the bottom corner with goalkeeper Mya Francis-Pownall rooted to the spot.

Lily Stevens also tried her luck from a similar distance, but Francis-Pownall was able to get behind the midfielder’s effort.

The chances kept coming for Steve Jaye’s side, with Cat Beaver going close with a header after meeting a corner, and Madi Parsonson’s left-footed strike forcing Francis-Pownall to get down low.

The second goal came on 25 minutes as Parsonson clipped a ball to the back post following a slick passing move, and Manzi directed her header down and into the back of the net.

Manzi could have doubled her personal tally when she was found in the middle by Stella Gandee Morgan, but a last-ditch tackle stopped her from turning and tucking home.

She turned provider moments later though when she chipped an exquisite ball over the top for Mendes to run onto, who slotted home with ease to make it three.

There was some brief respite for the Sutton defence when Milly Cutler chased down the Fulham back line and got a shot in from the edge of the box, but it went harmlessly wide.

The Whites searched for a fourth after the break, with Olds sending a speculative effort wide before going close with a header moments later.

Just ten minutes after the restart, Gandee Morgan played an inch-perfect ball through to Foreman, who took a touch and finished past the onrushing Francis-Pownall.

The ‘keeper made two impressive saves within seconds, twice keeping out Gandee Morgan at full stretch when the midfielder set her sights.

Substitute Georgia Heasman made an impact after coming on, forcing the Sutton shot-stopper into yet another save when the ball was deflected to her on the edge of the box.

Heasman had another chance late on when she got on the end of Gandee Morgan’s ball, but her shot on the angle was deflected wide as Fulham settled for four.

Steve Jaye’s unbeaten side are next in action when they welcome Dorking to Motspur Park on Sunday 27^th October.